Mains Practice Questions

Approach :

• Briefly introduce the virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude.
• Discuss trustworthiness as a source of credibility.
• Discuss fortitude as a guarantee of continuity.
• Critically assess their limitations.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction :

Trustworthiness reflects integrity, honesty, and reliability, which earn credibility for governance systems. Fortitude represents moral courage, resilience, and perseverance, which ensure continuity of ethical practices despite political, social, or institutional challenges. Together, these qualities strengthen the moral foundation of public service.

Body :

Trustworthiness as a Source of Credibility

• Trustworthiness builds credibility because citizens depend on institutions that act with honesty and transparency.
• A trustworthy administrator or institution earns legitimacy, which is vital in a democracy.
  • Example:Lal Bahadur Shastri’s trustworthiness during the food crisis of 1965 inspired credibility among citizens through the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
• Without trustworthiness, governance suffers from cynicism, corruption, and declining public confidence.

Fortitude as a Guarantee of Continuity

• Fortitude is the capacity to remain steadfast in ethical decision-making despite opposition or adversity.
• Administrators often face pressures from vested interests, political superiors, or even public anger.
• Fortitude allows them to uphold values and sustain long-term reforms.
• Examples:
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: He showed fortitude in integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union, ensuring continuity of the newly independent nation
  • E. Sreedharan (Delhi Metro): He demonstrated fortitude in executing the Metro project free of corruption and undue political interference, ensuring continuity of high standards.
  • The Right to Information Act reflects institutional fortitude, enabling continuity in transparency reforms despite resistance.
• Fortitude ensures that governance does not collapse under external pressure but stays aligned to ethical principles.

Critical Evaluation

• Trustworthiness alone is insufficient: Competence and efficiency are also necessary for credibility. A well-meaning but ineffective administrator may not inspire public confidence.
• Fortitude without adaptability: Excessive rigidity may hinder flexibility and pragmatic decision-making. Resilience should not translate into stubbornness.
• Need for complementary values: Empathy, accountability, impartiality, and efficiency are equally significant for effective public administration.

Conclusion:

Trustworthiness and fortitude are interdependent virtues that reinforce ethical governance. Yet, for governance to be truly holistic, these must be complemented by competence, empathy, and accountability. As virtue ethics emphasizes, character is the foundation of moral action—trust arises from truth, courage sustains continuity, and together they shape a virtuous public service.